Sterling Shepard is back at the Meadowlands. The veteran receiver signed with the New York Jets practice squad on September 15, 2026, giving the team another experienced option as it prepares for its home opener against the Green Bay Packers.
The move comes after the Houston Texans released Shepard at the end of August. Now 33, Shepard joins a Jets team that opened the season with a win over the Tennessee Titans and is looking to keep building early momentum.
Shepard returns to a familiar place
Shepard’s NFL journey started in Oklahoma, where he was a first-team All-American in 2015 before the New York Giants selected him with the 40th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent his first eight seasons with the Giants, becoming a familiar face in New York before moving on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the past two seasons.
His addition gives the Jets a receiver who knows the market and the stadium well. Even though he is joining the practice squad, the move adds depth to a position group that can always use reliable experience, especially this early in the season.
What Shepard brings
Shepard’s resume shows steady production over a long career. In 90 games, he has 372 receptions for 4,095 yards and 25 touchdowns. Last season, he played in 10 contests and caught 34 passes for 349 yards and one touchdown.
For the Jets, the immediate value is clear: a proven veteran with a track record of production who can help support the roster heading into Week 2. For Shepard, it is another chance to stay in the league and contribute in a familiar setting.
